1.
half-hearted, incomplete, half-baked
Neither fully done nor properly abandoned — stuck in an unsatisfying middle state. Describes work, effort, attitudes, or situations that lack commitment or completion.
中途半端 conveys a strong sense of dissatisfaction with something incomplete or uncommitted.
Common collocations
- 中途半端な気持ち (half-hearted feelings)
- 中途半端な知識 (incomplete knowledge)
- 中途半端に終わる (end inconclusively)
- 中途半端にする (leave half-done)
This word carries a negative nuance — it implies that something should have been done fully or not at all. It is commonly used to criticize lack of commitment or thoroughness.